A TRAINING camp for England rugby stars of the future could be built in the town which spawned the game.

Rugby MP Jeremy Wright has held talks with the Rugby Football Union - the governing body of the sport - over the possibility of constructing facilities in the town for fledgling players.

The national under-21s side currently train at Worcester, the under-19s at Harlequins and England A at Gloucester.

The facilities could also be used for the 2012 Olympics if rugby sevens is included in the games for the first time.

The RFU would not fund the project but has expressed an interest in using the facilities if built.

A spokeswoman said: "Jeremy Wright and the RFU's performance director Chris Spice have discussed the possibility of Rugby providing facilities which might be used for the game of rugby union.

"Chris said if something was built which suited England team requirements then the RFU would consider it but there is no suggestion the RFU would fund it."

Critics often say the town is a sleeping giant which has never fully capitalised on the fact it invented a game played by millions of people around the world.

Mr Wright said: "There are other towns and cities desperately trying to attract tourists but don't really have anything to offer.

"Rugby, on the other hand, has this amazing piece of history in the invention of a sport that has been embraced all over the world.

"Millions of people visit Warwickshire each year and it is up to us as politicians and business leaders to make sure Rugby is on their itinerary."

Gisele Pellegrini, chairman of Rugby Chamber of Commerce, said: "These discussions sound extremely interesting and that would be the sort of high profile announcement that would help us to shout about the fact that the game was invented here."